Windshield Sandblasted

[jacpsu]

I've had my '02DII for 5 years now without windshield problems but I am noticing that it has slowly acquired what I term sandblasting effect...never noticed this on other vehicles...that causes streaking/sparkling on rainy days. Quite annoying really....blamed a lot of innocent wiperblades may they rest in peace. None-the-less...is this typical on Rovers due to the verticallity of the screen and are there any fixes other than windshield exchange? I am always hesitant to replace a windshield that doesn't have any leak problems. I have seen some products that claim to "refinish" windscreens but not heard any success stories first hand.

[scottagnew101]

well people can sand down the windsheild and put a chemical on it to make it as clear as new. I have not done this but it can be done professionally

[Steph]

I'd try Rain X and see what it does.

[jacpsu]

Finally had the windshield replaced...quite the nightmare from a quality of service perspective with numerous leaks that weren't there before (and some that were from the sunroofs but that is another story). The final leak seams to be water coming into the heater air intake underneath the windshield cowling (plenum intake cover per the manual). The glass repair dude tells me it is common for these to warp in the sun allowing rain to seep underneath. I have searched the forum for similar statements regarding the cowling warp to determine if I am being sold a story to cover for more questionable craftsmanship...haven't seen any other complaints. Can anyone verify that this cowling does have a tendency to warp and is the sole preventer of water making it's way into the heater air intake...i.e. if it is warped and pulling away from the windshield, water leaks underneath into the heater air intake and down onto the passenger side carpet? (OBTW, drain tubes have been cleaned, and resealed...water check with headliner removed verified repairs to that area).

[BamaDisco03]

hmm...my 00 disco doesnt leak around the windshield, had problems with front carpets being wet, turned out to be the a/c tubes were clogged...im sure if you left the car in intense heat for long periods of time the plastic would warp, but I dont see it very likely...possible, but not likely...

as for the windshield thing, was yours a heated windshield? or just the regular one? I've got a couple small rock chips in mine and in the evening if the sun hits it right it looks terrible...debating on replacing it.

Diamondite® Glass Repair System Kit polishes out scratches in auto glass windshields and windows. Diamondite Glass polish restore car glass. Anyone tried that? supposed to be a resurfacing kit for glass...I've heard good things, never personally used one though.

When you said drain tubes were clear, were you referring to the ones on the sunroof or the ones to the A/C?

[jacpsu]

...sunroof...not sure if the auto glass place checked the A/C tubes as well but I doubt it...their knowldedge of LRs seemed somewhat limited. They judged that the leak was through the heat intake because of the warped cowling by removing the cowling, putting a temp cover over the intake and then redoing the leak check....no leak with intake covered. They tell me that in their discussions with the local LR dealership, they were told the warping/leaking was a common problem...just thought it was odd that I saw nothing on the forum to substantiate that claim. I have to get the cowling replaced anyway (cracked/broken during the process...go figure) so I'll have the dealership check out the A/C lines to make sure they are clear.

Not a heated windshield (from a price perspective I am happy about that)...I had a lot of sparkle from sun and couldn't get a streakless swipe from the wipers due to the sand blast. Much better now (except for the leaks).

[BamaDisco03]

If you have about 10 minutes and dont mind getting dirty water in your armpit you can check your A/C lines yourself..at least the drainage ones...just crawl under the truck and look inside the hump above the tranny...about where your ankle would be when you drive...should be two rubber protrusions, pointy @ the end or whatever you wana call it...i took a 3/8 ratchet extension and pushed up into the hole, there was mud/dirt/whatever up there, the passenger side one is easy, the driver side one, i couldnt get the rubber thing back on, couldnt get my hand/arm back up in there. Its a simple thing to do, just to rule out that problem...

mine were so bad glogged that water would run out from under the doors and soak the front carpet, and if i cornered hard the water would hit my ankle...It took me a couple tries to find the things that hold in the junk...if you have two water puddles under your truck after you run the a/c that straddle the tranny then yours are not clogged...

Hope this helps, hate to hear bout the cowl getting cracked...idk how well a salvage yard would fair on this part...but it might save you a few $$$ over the dealership.